CVE-2005-2191 in Comersus Cart
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Comersus shopping cart allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) name parameter to comersus_backoffice_listAssignedPricesToCustomer.asp or (2) message parameter to comersus_backoffice_message.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2019
The CVE-2005-2191 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Comersus shopping cart software that exposes web applications to persistent malicious code injection attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets two distinct input parameters within the administrative backoffice functionality of the e-commerce platform, creating multiple attack vectors for remote threat actors. The flaw resides in the comersus_backoffice_listAssignedPricesToCustomer.asp script where the name parameter fails to properly sanitize user input, and in comersus_backoffice_message.asp where the message parameter suffers from similar input validation deficiencies. These vulnerabilities fall under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of legitimate user sessions, potentially compromising the entire user base that interacts with the affected shopping cart system. When the vulnerable parameters are manipulated, the application fails to properly encode or escape user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses, creating an environment where malicious payloads can be executed in the browser context of unsuspecting users. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in administrative interfaces where privileged users might be tricked into viewing malicious content, potentially leading to complete system compromise through session hijacking or data exfiltration. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that these vulnerabilities exist in backoffice administrative functions, which typically have elevated privileges and access to sensitive customer data and system configurations.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2191 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal customer credentials, manipulate product pricing information, and potentially redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability's presence in the backoffice administrative interface creates a particularly severe risk since attackers who can exploit this flaw may gain access to sensitive customer information, modify pricing structures, and compromise the integrity of the entire e-commerce platform. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under TA0001 - Initial Access and TA0002 - Execution, where attackers leverage web application vulnerabilities to establish footholds and execute malicious code within user browsers. The long-term implications include potential data breaches, loss of customer trust, and financial losses due to unauthorized transactions or price manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2191 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized and encoded before being rendered in web pages, particularly in administrative interfaces where the risk of privilege escalation is higher. The recommended approach includes implementing strict parameter validation, employing context-specific output encoding, and utilizing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Security measures should also include regular security assessments of web applications, implementation of content security policies, and ensuring that all legacy web applications are either patched or replaced with secure modern alternatives. Given that this vulnerability affects a system from 2005, organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates or complete replacement of the affected shopping cart platform to prevent exploitation.